Ruairí Óg Cushendall secured their place in the Antrim Minor Hurling Championship semi-final with a commanding second-half comeback against O’Donovan Rossa at Rossa Park. In a match officiated by referee Coly Thompson, Cushendall ultimately ran out 2-20 to 2-11 winners after a dominant final 27 minutes.
Cushendall opened the scoring early when Jake Laffan pointed in the second minute. Operating efficiently in attack, full-forward Connlaodh McNaughton was a constant threat, finding the back of the net at the thirteen minute mark to push his side ahead. Supported by two points from Donnacha Laverty, Cushendall built a commanding 1-7 to 0-5 lead with just five minutes remaining in the first half.
However, Rossa orchestrated a massive momentum shift before the whistle. They hit a purple patch to register an unanswered 1-4, starting with a free from Adam McGahey. Oisin Boyle, Conor Og Marley, and Connla McKay added quick-fire points, before Cillian Carabine struck for a crucial goal on the stroke of half-time. This late surge sent Rossa into the break with a two-point advantage, leading 1-09 to 1-07.
Rossa maintained their momentum in the opening minutes of the second half, with centre-forward Oisin Boyle converting two frees in the first three minutes of the new half to extend their tally to 1-11.
From that point on, Cushendall completely took over, remarkably holding Rossa scoreless for the final 27 minutes of the game. The turning point coming on 35 minutes when Connlaodh McNaughton struck his second goal of the afternoon. McNaughton was in clinical form, adding five more points (including two frees and a ’65’) throughout the half.
Cushendall’s supporting cast also found their rhythm, with Conor McCann, Cahir McCambridge, Jake Laffan, and Shane McQuillan all splitting the posts to put the game out of reach. Despite a valiant first-half effort from Rossa, Cushendall’s relentless second-half performance ensured a comfortable 2-20 to 2-11 victory.
Report and Photos by Brian Hamill from Pairc Éanna
Naomh Éanna completed their group 2 campaign with a five-point victory over St Mary’s, Aghoghill after a lively and entertaining encounter that saw the hosts withstand a strong second-half challenge from the visitors.
Ahoghill made the brighter start and opened the scoring through Patrick Graham Jnrbefore James O’Connelladded a free to give the visitors an early advantage. Naomh Éanna were grateful to goalkeeper Senan Nagle, who produced two excellent saves during the opening stages to prevent Aghoghill from extending their lead and keep his side firmly in the contest.
The game swung firmly in the hosts’ favour during the second quarter. Stephen O’Connorlanded a superb two-point score before raising a green flag moments later. Further scores from FionnNagle,Odhrán EastwoodZac Kyleand Conor Eastwood helped Naomh Éanna build momentum as their attacking play began to click.
Aghoghill remained in touch thanks to a crucial goal from Diarmuid Graham while Eamon Brady, Tom McGlone and James O’Connell all contributed scores. However, Naomh Éanna closed the half strongly and went in leading 1-14 to 1-8.
The visitors responded impressively after the restart. James O’Connell landed a pair of excellent two-point scores from play, while Daniel O’Neilladded another two-pointer to bring Aghoghill right back into contention. Scores from Ronan Grahamand Daniel O’Neill further reduced the deficit and ensured the game remained very much alive entering the final quarter.
To their credit, Naomh Éanna showed plenty of composure under pressure. Fionn Nagle continued to impress, repeatedly finding space inside, while Odhrán Eastwood kept the scoreboard ticking over from both play and frees. Scores from Padhraig O’Hare and ConorEastwood also helped steady the hosts whenever Aghoghill threatened to close the gap further.
A key moment arrived in the second half when Aghoghill were awarded a penalty. Once again Senan Nagle came to Naomh Éanna’s rescue, producing an outstanding save to deny a certain goal. Although the ball was deflected over the bar and Aghoghill collected a point from the attack, the save preserved Naomh Éanna’s momentum at a crucial stage of the contest.
Both sides looked to their benches during the second half, but Naomh Éanna always seemed capable of finding another score when required. Late points from Odhrán Eastwood and FionnNagle ultimately secured a victory that reflected their greater consistency across the hour.
Although Aghoghill mounted an impressive comeback and finished strongly, Naomh Éanna’s decisive spell before half-time, allied to Senan Nagle’s important interventions at key moments, proved the difference as they closed out a five-point win.
Referee: Fionntán McCotter (Sarsfield’s)
Naomh Éanna scorers
Fionn Nagle 0-7
Odhrán Eastwood 0-5
Stephen O’Connor 1-2 and two two-pointers
Conor Eastwood 0-2 and one two-pointer
Padhraig O’Hare 0-1
Zac Kyle 0-1
St Mary’s, Aghoghill scorers
James O’Connell 0-5 and two two-pointers
Diarmaid Graham 1-0
Daniel O’Neill 0-2 and one two-pointer
Ronan Graham 0-2
Eamon Brady 0-1
Patrick Graham Jnr 0-1
Tom McGlone 0-1
Ryan McPeake 0-1
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Dunloy sealed their place in the last four of the senior football championship with a nine point win over Lámh Dhearg on Sunday evening. This was a contest littered with goals, moments of brilliance by both sides but it was the returning Seaan Elliott that lit up the game from the first whistle.
The Dunloy star hasn’t played any football in 2026 with his last competitive outing coming against Newbridge in the Ulster championship last November. You would never have known however as Elliott purred through the gears, landed two point scores and glided effortlessly over the pristine surface in Toome.
Two of the Cuchullains goals came from his brother, Nigel – both in the first half while second half majors came from Conor Kinsella, Barry McCloskey and Luke McFerran as the reigning champions showed their teeth in an attacking sense.
Lámh Dhearg did expose some defensive frailties in the Cuchullains however and they had a very definite tactic of playing the ball early and long into Conor Murray who was on the edge of the square for long periods. The strength and running power of Marc Jordan and trickery of Ryan Murray always gave the Hannahstown men a threat and while Dunloy will look at two of their goals being either questionable or unlucky, the work by the Red Hands to carve out the chances couldn’t be questioned.
The Lámh Dhearg majors came through Donal Martin in the first half, an own goal early in the second half while Conor Murray’s late goal had the deficit reduced to six points in the last ten minutes. With the introduction of Paddy Cunningham giving them an extra string to their attacking bow in the second half.
Dunloy always had an answer for every question posed of them by the Lámh’s, however and were well worthy of the margin of victory by the final whistle.
Seaan Elliott opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the game by splitting the posts and raising an orange flag. Tom McFerran followed suit before a brace of points from placed ball by Conor Murray restored parity by the close of the opening quarter.
Lámh Dhearg were well on top in the middle third but once Dunloy got to grips with the challenge being asked of them, they put some early daylight between the sides. The Hannahstown men were kept scoreless for 14 minutes while Dunloy reeled off 1-6 unanswered. Seaan Elliott raising a white flag before the opening goal of the game came from his brother Nigel.
Nigel Elliott had made the break and while he was through on goal, he looked to pass to his left but this was partially intercepted. The ball broke into Elliott’s path and he finished with John Finnucane wrong footed in the Lámh Dhearg goal.
Seaan Elliott continued with another scoring burst with a point and two two-pointers in the space of six minutes to take his tally to eight points by the 24th minute.
The Cuchullains were seemingly awarded a penalty in the 25th minute when Nigel Elliott was felled by Finnucane. Getting on the end of a quite brilliant through ball by Keelan Molloy with the outside of his left foot, Elliott took a touch before being brought down. Referee Conal Roberts initially awarded the penalty before changing his decision after consultation with an umpire and giving a hop ball, much to the disbelief of the Dunloy management.
Keelan Molloy split the uprights to take the Dunloy lead to 11 points before the Lámh’s scored their opening goal of the game. Donal Martin was in the right place and the right time to get on the end of a long delivery into the danger area and once again referee Conal Roberts consulted his umpire with the Dunloy players adamant there was a square ball infringement. The goal stood however to leave the score 1-10 to 1-2 in the 28th minute.
The Cuchullains finished the half on top however with Ryan McGarry splitting the posts before Nigel Elliott found the back of the net following great vision from Barry McCloskey in the build up to spot the run by his team mate.
With Dunloy leading 2-11 to 1-2 at the interval, the Hannahstown men introduced Cunningham at the interval and while he had a positive impact, the Lámh’s played with renewed vigour and increased intensity.
They kept Dunloy from scoring for 11 minutes into the second half while scoring a further 1-2 themselves. Points coming from Ben Rice and Pearse Fitzsimons either side of what looked like an own goal. Marc Jordan causing some mayhem and while he passed to his left, the ball came off the head of James Scally before going into the back of the net. In fairness to the Dunloy defender, he was stopping Conor Murray from getting to the ball and had no idea the ball was coming his direction.
The Lámh’s had another glimpse of goal with Ryan Murray going close only for his effort to be cleared of danger by Aaron Crawford but it looked like the Cuchullains had weathered the Lámh Dhearg storm when Conor Kinsella scored their third goal.
Nigel Elliott and Keelan Molloy combining before sending the ball across the goal mouth when Kinsella met it and bundled the ball over the line.
Frees from Conor Murray and Cunningham followed before Keelan Molloy pointed and Barry McCloskey scored Dunloy’s fourth major in the 46th minute. Conor Kinsella turning provider this time for McCloskey and he cut inside before finishing expertly to the bottom corner.
The Lámh’s had another purple patch where they reeled off 1-2 in the space of five minutes. Substitute Jack Davitt and Ben Rice splitting the uprights before Ryan Murray scored their third goal of the evening. Declan Lynch and Paddy Cunningham combining to put Ryan Murray through and he made no mistake.
Dunloy’s response was the mark of champions, however. Points in quick succession from Luke McFerran, McCloskey and Seaan Elliott came before Luke McFerran bundled home his sides fifth major of the evening.
Cunningham took some gloss off the scoreline by landing a two pointer in true Paddy Cunningham fashion – outside of the boot before Callum Fegan-Lappin split the uprights with the last score of the game in injury time.
It was a mix of the sublime and chaos by the Cuchullains who relied more on off the cuff football than we have seen in recent times. Lámh Dhearg made them dig a little deeper than most thought but it’s the Dunloy men who go through to the semi’s and set up a meeting with St Brigid’s.
TEAMS
Dunloy Starting XV: Chrissy McMahon; Reece Cunning, Aaron Crawford, James Scally; Aodhan McGarry, Ryan McGarry, Conor Kinsella; Eoin McFerran, Luke McFerran; Eoin O’Neill, Seaan Elliott, Tom McFerran; Barry McCloskey, Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott
Scorers: S Elliott 0-9 (3tp); N Elliott 2-00; L McFerran 1-1; B McCloskey 1-1; C Kinsella 1-00; K Molloy 0-2 (1f); T McFerran 0-1; R McGarry 0-1
Lámh Dhearg Starting XV: John Finnucane; Marc McGarry, Declan Lynch, Declan Smith; Ben Rice, Paddy Mervyn, Donal Martin; Ross Fitzsimons, Marc Jordan; Eoin McKeown, Adam Murray, Ross Murray; Kevin Quinn, Ryan Murray, Conor Murray
Scorers: C Murray 0-4 (2f); R Murray 1-00; D Martin 1-00; Paddy Cunningham 0-3 (1f, 1tp); B Rice 0-2; P Fitzsimons 0-1; Jack Davitt 0-1; Callum Fegan-Lappin 0-1
Referee: Conal Roberts (St John’s)
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Join us on Saturday 26th September 2026 at McEnaney’s Pub as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Éire Óg’s memorable 2001 Junior Championship victory.
A quarter of a century on, it’s time to bring the team back together, relive the stories, and celebrate one of the club’s finest achievements with an evening full of memories, laughter, and great company.
🏅 REUNION PRESENTATIONS
Special reunion awards will be presented during the evening, including:
⭐ Man of the Match Award
🏆 Special Reunion Awards
🎉 AN EVENING TO REMEMBER
Whether you were part of the panel, a supporter, a friend of the team, or are involved with the club today, we’d love to see you there as we celebrate a special chapter in Éire Óg’s history.
Naomh Eanna Division 3 squad set up the chance of a unique championship double by beating an impressive Aghagallon team in the semifinal at Páirc Eanna.
Comprised of players all u20 the young Naomh Eanna girls produced a splendid performance of attacking football to overcome the Division 3 league winners.
Starting the game brightly with a couple of early points the Hightown girls were rocked by an incisive goal by Aghagallon.
The game then settled into a pattern with dominant performances all over the field from the young Endas ladies. Leading 0-10 to 1-2 at half time the Naomh Eanna girls then started the second half with a couple of goals by Caoimhe McKeown that seemed to settle the game.
However Aghagallon refused to yield and using their experience kept plugging away and with 10 minutes left scored a second goal to keep the game in the balance.
Naomh Eanna were always dangerous going forward and the scoring power of Cara Coogan Eve Pierce and Cliodhna McGinley always had an edge. At midfield Tara Rogers and Niamh Mooney worked tirelessly while the McKay sisters and Orlaith Fahy Duckett kept the defence tight.
A number of good saves from keeper Mia Carlin and the dynamic running of Ella McAlea and Deirdre Ann McLaughlin made it a great night for the young side.
Naomh Eanna now have a team in both the Junior and Junior B deciders. Exciting times for ladies football at the club.
